Dr. Alan Viau

A Guide to 2013 Ottawa Winter Wedding Shows

The start of a new year heralds four wedding shows in the Ottawa area. Here is a preview of what to expect for each of them.

If December is engagement month, then January and February are wedding show months. Zealous brides seek out wedding shows to scope out vendors for their big event. In the Ottawa area, there are four shows of note. Two are general shows that have numerous vendors while two others have a focus to their event.

Wedding Palace Bridal Show, January 12&13 from 11am – 5pm at the Ottawa Convention Centre. This is THE big bridal show in Ottawa. You will find over 170 vendors at the show. This is where most of Ottawa’s best vendors come to be seen. It encompasses the who’s-who of the Ottawa bridal market and is the largest of its kind in the Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec region. It also features two daily fashion shows with the latest fashions from Alliance Bridal Chez Ginette, Sinders Bridal House and Moores Clothing for Men, accessorized with fine jewellery from Jubilee Fine Jewellers and flowers from Voila! Weddings, Events & Flowers.

The Ottawa Bridal Party, February 3rd from 11am – 5pm at Sixty Four Hundred Celebration Centre in Stittsville. This is the inaugural show this year. The event is a boutique-inspired wedding show that focuses on creating an exciting but intimate experience for brides and their parties. They have a curated collection of exhibitors selected on their professionalism and creativity, whose services are complimentary to one another. The event is less of a trade show and more of an elegant soiree with valet, drinks, food, beauty consultations, photo booth a men’s lounge, a distinctive fashion show and incredible vendors. Their premise is that planning your wedding should be part of the celebration of getting married. The Ottawa Bridal Party’s focus is modern, elegant with a dash of glamour.

Wed by Hand, Ottawa’s Indie Wedding Show, February 10 from 11am – 4pm at the Glebe Community Centre. Wed By Hand is Ottawa’s DIY, handmade and eco-friendly wedding show. It is an awesome one stop shop for discovering unique wedding vendors, learning workshops on how to DIY your wedding and to sample tasty treats from small-batch food producers. They feature over 40 handmade, eco-friendly and local exhibitors, four *free* hands-on and informational workshops (including one from yours truly), free tastings from 15 bakeries, caterers & market bags stuffed with goodies for the first 300 attendees through the door! It is a popular event with line-ups at the door, so get there early.

The Ottawa Wedding Show, February 16 & 17 from 11am – 5pm at the CE Centre. A long running show that is now in the CE Centre. I counted over 50 vendors from their website. They run twice daily fashion shows produced by All That Glitters Bridal. They have a special gown area hosted by local bridal shops where you can buy bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses, prom dresses, cocktail dresses, accessories new or from overstocked and discontinued lines at amazing savings.

Photograph by: Jana Chytilova, The Ottawa Citizen

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